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David Archuleta Wikipedia

David James Archuleta (born December 28, 1990) is an American singer-songwriter and actor. At ten years old, he won the children's division of the Utah Talent Competition leading to other television singing appearances.[6] When he was twelve years old, Archuleta became the Junior Vocal Champion on Star Search 2.[6] In 2007, at sixteen years old, he became one of the youngest contestants on the seventh season of American Idol.[7] In May 2008 he finished as the runner-up, receiving 44 percent of over 97 million votes.

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“There he is!” I was checking my phone for any David news as we were going into Richfield. “He’s on the same highway that we are on, Dayzee!” Sure enough after winding around a few roads, there were the same signs that were in David’s Instagram! We are here! Later there was more excitement to see him walk out on that stage with his big smile and waving. Oh, the yelling, clapping, standing ovations; he had them all!

Like I’ve said, the whole world needs to hear that voice. It’s just something special to see him live…he has that “light”. Got to meet up with Shawna and Patty again. Hadn’t seen them since Motab. The big surprise was when Nathan came out and sang “The Prayer” with David.

credit: 8throwcenter

OMGosh, I never, ever thought I would get to see that live. At the end, David had a little girl come on stage while he sang “Glorious”.

credit: Jan

When leaving, I saw a bottle on stage and went down and got it with the help of a stage hand. Thought I had a David bottle, but when I watched the video of them singing “The Prayer”, it shows Nathan taking a drink and sitting the bottle right down where I picked it up…so…it was Nathan’s water bottle and not David’s! 😉 well, he’s second best! LOL

On to Queen’s Creek – 1st concert

There was an early dinner at Olive Garden before the concert where we met up with Kalei and her bunch. It was Linda’s birthday and she was surprised to find out that she was going to meet David in person! Awesome!

Dayzee’s and my seats were apart and I got to sit between some “fuddy duddies”! No arm swinging with lighted cameras, no singing and swaying! They might not have been in the swing of things, but it didn’t stop me! haha. The 3 on my right left when David left the stage.

What? no encore?? How can anyone leave with David on fire!!! But of course there was one! It left me on a high all night! He was so good!

credit: Jan

Queen’s Creek – 2nd concert

Gwen couldn’t make it, so Dayzee sat in her seat and Dayzee’s seat went to Victoria! I sat next to SuzyQ and it was good to see her again. Got to meet Pat and Sweetonda, Tawna and hubby, DJAfan and more.

After hearing “7 Years” live 3 times in a row, I give in! David puts his all in that song, he is incredible! There is nothing like David feeding off the electric frenzy of the fans. I felt like a teenager again! It is with love that I listened to his little speeches before his songs that gives messages on him staying in music. Don’t ever quit singing David!

It was the night before Easter and I was hoping David would sing something special and he did! It was beautiful.

credit 8throwcenter

It was so new to him he read the words from his phone and sang it perfectly. Feeling it in his heart, he was breaking down at the end as we all were. Thank you David, you never let us down!

What a joyous trip! It wouldn’t have happened without the super nice Dayzee doing all the driving! 😀

The first night in Arizona the gathering of fans began early at the Olive Garden. So great to have a group of people who don’t cut you off when you mention David. Haha

All photos property of Dayzee unless stated otherwise

Jan and I reached the venue an hour early and there were fans milling around everywhere. Met old friends, some we had not seen since the last time we were in Arizona (home of the infamous chair scooting incident). Some we had met at Tuacahn last fall. Seeing those familiar faces is just what you need when your tummy is full of butterflies and you are so high you can’t keep track of your tickets and keys.

David’s pic on the door

The door of the venue was covered with a pic of David and fans were standing in line to take photos of themselves with that David pic. Jan said when the line slowed down she would take a picture of that herself, but the line was constant and even longer after the performance.

Line of people waiting to take their pics of themselves with the door pic

Inside, Jan and I separated as we had bought our tickets separately. I was by myself but had a ticket for front row center. Yayy! As I found my seat a girl jumped up from the adjoining chair and said “I hope we don’t make too much noise for you.” LOL. As I got to know this new fan I realized she was pretty much the opposite of me. She was 18, I was 81. It was her first time to see David, it was about my fifty-first. We no doubt had little in common, yet here we were, side by side at a David concert.

I showed her some videos on my phone from the Richfield concert. She was quite excited at the thought of getting her own videos and promptly started taping. About half way through the show I told her I would have to stop because my phone was almost dead. She said, “No problem” and hooked me up with a power plug she had found right on the edge of the stage. What??? Arizona not only let you take all the video you wanted, but helped you power up. I love Arizona.

My new friend Nicole was absolutely delightful. She helped me get through “Everybody Hurts” and I helped her through “7 Years”. You know, sometimes David is just overwhelming and you need a hand to clasp or a thigh to squeeze.

As soon as David left the stage I helped Nicole jump up and she gathered set lists and water bottles, handing them to fans standing at the edge of the stage. Everyone loved her. She scampered from the stage, barely escaping the grasp of the stage police.

According the David, the way we will be watching him drink water now since he has decided it’s weird to have 700 people watch you drink

It makes me happy every time I open the refrigerator door.

Nicole came and gave me a hug the second night. Perhaps we will meet again when David visits Arizona. I will not worry about her because I know she has the very best role model. Makes me happy to know there are new young fans. How long can we old ladies carry this banner anyway?

I had not met SuzieQ before, but was fortunate to be sitting next to her on the second night. I loved her for the respect and enthusiastic admiration she showed David.

Remember all those one-armed hugs we used to get from David? They have evolved into two-armed hugs of appreciation that are shared by fans of all ages everywhere!

And on, and on. And with every challenge: More DA. More exposure. More learning about it all. And about him, as well.

credit: Lily

There are also many aspects of DA that I could not fully know at the time, because I learned about him through the medium of AI. And many, many times: the medium is the message.

I remember how there were discussions on how wonderful it would be when DA was free of the AI contract(s), and could do things more his own way.

I thought to myself how for me at least, it was like a dichotomy: I did not want AI to “own” him. Yet I felt a certain ownership myself. And it was because AI “owned” him that the whole dynamic of “ownership” came up in the first place. I felt like I had a window into DA. Their ownership gave me the illusion of ownership as well. (Like really identifying with a character in a movie or story – I value the experience, I value my own experience with the character – I learn, and it becomes part of my life.) I think that is part of the attraction of “reality” television shows.

Of course, I never wanted to “own” DA. I just wanted the closeness to continue more or less the same. But I didn’t realize. How could I? I had never been on a reality show. I did not become a “public figure” at the age of 16. And “Dear DA” never wanted to be a public figure in the first place. He just wanted to follow the direction of the spirit and sing. It brought him publicity. It brought him to AI. It brought him to me. I am grateful.

So now, like before, I find myself “wishing for DA”. Wishing for him to be happy, for him to find the music he loves and a way to share it … especially, I wish for the continuation of it’s impact on my life. I admit that!

It is January 2016 and yes, why not? I am “wishing for DA”. And as I already have got most of my other wishes, that he be free, that he can do the music he, himself chooses, that he can do things “his own way”…. Is it too selfish of me to hope that my other wishes will be metas well? Hey! It could happen!!

So I will make an unapologetic wish list:

that DA tours this fall (or latest, next spring) all across the USA (and other countries), so that other fans can see him live

that DA records a CD with Spanish music

and one in English as well

that the powers that raise him up will sustain him and successfully enlist his kind and honest heart in a new “contract” a new “ownership” that carries him onward and upward and…. Closer to so many who have come to love him. No matter how they came to “know” him.

Dear DA: We wish for you only the very best and brightest of futures. Fans just…well….want to be enfolded in the sounds of all the music that that future holds. You see, we love that sound and I believe that this is just the way it was meant to be.

The final season of American Idol begins its 15th year at 8 p.m. Eastern tonight on Fox, with a finale in April rather than May, ending four weeks earlier than normal.

I have not followed the show since Season 7 ended but I can’t help feeling a bit nostalgic at the mention of the end of an era in TV entertainment. Sure it ran its course; it was one of the pioneers of talent search shows, aside from Star Search that never made it quite as big. It provided many hours of good TV but most of all it gave us David Archuleta, The Voice, whochanged our lives in more ways that we can count on our fingers. And for this I will be forever thankful.

I lost interest in the show for a lot of reasons, but mainly because I no longer trusted the integrity of the voting tabulations (I mean, really!); I was tired of Simon’s lacerating put-downs and I was resentful that the show focused too frequently on watching people with no talent try out. It was dishonest. If the show was looking for the best talent in America, why focus on the worst? To get a laugh at thecontestant’s expense?

According to a New York Times article, “Idol pulled in north of 30 million viewers at its peak , (but was able to draw only 11 million during its most recent round in 2015) and Fox milkedit, expanding the excruciating audition rounds and padding the episodes. Celebrity guests flocked to pitch their wares. It was the biggest thing on TV; at times, it practically seemed like the only thing on TV.

I’m so glad that I was able to witness David through his ‘growing’ years. The time when he was hanging onto the mic stand for dear life in his baggy pants and T-shirts. Oh, and the scarves.

credit: Google Images

Then he became like a spring, bouncing around the stage carrying the mic with him, killing us with flirty eyebrows, and wearing better fitting jeans and different kinds of shirts (there was that awesome pink shirt and still the scarves) and had the amazing hair styles.

art edit found on Tumblr – Ponds teen concert

But now, I’m perfectly content with who David is. What he has become. Still the handsome, humorous and witty David that we’ve been watching since 2007, but a man who is comfortable with who he is. A man who isn’t afraid to tell the world what he’s thinking and how he got to the point he is at now. A performer who has developed more fashion sense in the clothes he wears on stage (we’ve still seen some scarves 🙂 ) and yet isn’t afraid to wear the most wrinkled shirt in the closet around town, if that’s the mood he’s in.

credit: Shelley

credit: The Spectrum

I do miss the amazing hair, but I also don’t mind the toned down look — he wears it well. With the head of hair he owns… wow! I love when he uses the flirty eyebrows and points those long fingers, and dances little snippets of fancy footwork here and there. No bouncing around, but some seriously great stage presence (he owns it).

credit: Marilyn Cutler Photography

I’m just happy to be a fan of the most beautiful and versatile Voice on the planet. And, of the most beautiful, inside and out, honest man that owns that Voice. The Voice that is definitely a gift and a treasure. The Voice that David uses to make others happy and peaceful.

I saw on Twitter that the Soul Davidian site is taking a Summer break. I am using this opportunity to reinforce our resolve to keep going through the lean times. While the David-related news has gone down to almost nil, fans still want to feel the connection. That’s why we’re still here; although I will admit that there are times when it is a difficult task to maintain a fan site based on commentary, rather than news. Our primary purpose is to provide a place for fans to comment and share their take on current events in David Archuleta’s career.

David was an unknown singer who virtually dropped from the television screen into our hearts. Back in the post American Idol days we had so much to discover about him and his music. Some would say we got too close to that young man who was so eager to share many facets of his life with fans. We were just as eager to find out every minute detail of his day, both personal and career-related.

And then he announced that he was going on a mission for his church.

At that time a few fan sites dropped out. Some said it was out of respect for David’s request for privacy during that time. What followed on the sites left standing was an uncertainty about what we could say or publish about his mission activity. The final shakeout was that pictures or videos were not allowed unless they were of public appearances.

And so the drought began.

Through this time we navigated our way along choppy waters of fans who agreed to disagree on what was appropriate to talk about in relation to his mission experience. We became aware that David was a celebrity even as an Elder in Chile. His brother Elders wrote in their personal blogs about the respect they had for him both as a missionary and as a singer. We were hungry for any news, if only to know that David was happy with his experience. The videos from Chile of Christmas concerts sustained the fan base over the two years. Counting down the days until his return was something that kept us motivated to stay on the course.

But the payoff upon his return to Utah was not what most had anticipated. Realizing that there is a period of adjustment for returning missionaries, patience became a word we used often. Other than a few seconds of video from the airport, there was silence. So much silence that some frustrated fans took to Twitter in order to force David out to speak about what he was planning next. In response, David posted this video on his You Tube channel:

Credit: David Archuleta

This is not the David Archuleta, the boy, we knew. This is a man who tells us he has gained his life back on his terms. He will now take the time to make music at his pace, without pressure to get it done fast and not be to his liking. It has been over a year since we got a glimpse of the man who is David Archuleta.

“I am still trying to unravel all of the knots that have been in my brain. I was so overwhelmed last time I was in the spotlight in front of all of you. I felt like I lost myself as I got caught up in trying to please everyone, because I disregarded what I cared about–what I thought.

It’s nice not having to keep trying to figure out how be something that I am not so that everyone will like whatever that is. I have come to realize that no matter what you will never make everybody happy, but you can make the most lasting impact on being yourself, and most of all out of all the people it will impact you are the one who is most impacted for the better. For the longest time, I tried to keep it on the down-low of who and how I really was because “I must not be likeable”, but it feels nice to just be who I am and live according to what has always been most important to me.” ~ David Archuleta

“What I am basically trying to say is I need silence in order to function. My quiet time is valuable to me. Everyone keeps asking me how things are in Nashville. I say “It’s really nice. It’s quiet.” Part of this is because I have decided to make this quiet time for me, but also this town is a place where I feel peace.” ~ David Archuleta

It seems that everything about the past has changed with respect to public performances and his participation on social media. This is what we can expect from David Archuleta going forward. The pace of his career will be more of a balance between his desire to have a personal life and his devotion to his craft. This is, in a sense, a fresh start for a new self-confident David who knows who he is and where he is going.

This is a partial drawing of David Archuleta by @jPaleFOD who posted it on Twitter. Even though it is unfinished, it gave me so much to think about. The Shakespeare quote, “The Eyes are the windows to your soul” came to mind, as the eyes are the most prominent feature in this sketch of David. Sketch: “a simply or hastily executed drawing or painting, especially a preliminary one, giving the essential features without the details.” (Definition by Dictionary.com.) I was also struck by the impression that this image could reveal or even represent where David is, in his journey back to a professional career.

Being away from the normal existence of family and friends can bring on a feeling of isolation. The rest of the world is absent in your day to day life. Even if you are in a place where you have a purpose, such as a mission for your faith, it can be difficult to feel a connection to what had meant the most to you before. Responsibility for guiding others on a path that you know well, but one that they may not grasp right away, can bring you into unfamiliar territory. Doubt is your constant companion. How do you get someone to believe as you believe when they do not yet have the same touchstones in faith? Are you equipped with adequate words to bring them into your fold? In the end, will you ever know if you made a difference in their lives?

Have you changed how you view the way things are? Your growth in all areas is a sign that you have learned some lessons about trusting your intuition. These are life lessons that come from experiences not taught by books, but by interacting with people whose actions need deciphering. You have gained the maturity to know who is on your side, and those who only want something from you. A life once lived in a bubble may not relate to a life now lived in harsh reality. You experience so much of life surrounding you that seems fake. Your craft could be the only thing you trust. It is the one true constant. Regardless of the isolation you now feel inside your craft, it sustains your creative nature. It is one of the things you trust to carry you forward in your life. There is no hesitation where music is concerned. You are a believer in the power and emotion that takes over your being when you sing.

Knowing your truth is the first step on your journey back to your true calling of music. You discovered that what you accomplished on your mission of faith is tied closely to your mission of music. It is the belief in yourself and the confidence of the powers of your craft that sustains you and will carry you forward. Using your voice to touch those willing to feel the emotion and be healed, is your Gift. Use it wisely David, and all your heartfelt dreams will be realized.

I wasn’t surprised when I read the news this morning that “American Idol” was ending it’s run after it’s fifteenth season, next year. Just a little melancholy because it signifies the end of an era and where I was first introduced to David Archuleta.

I know that there are people who still watch, even David fans. But I haven’t watched the show since Season 7 except in bits and pieces. I lost my faith in the show’s premise, to find the best singer. I mean, come on. Really??

picture credit courtesy of American Idol

The show declined in ratings after Simon left and I understand why. He’s as sharp as a tack at what he does and provided a lot of zingers and “did he really say that?” moments. But, in my opinion, there’s no excuse for degrading and belittling contestants for the sake of entertainment. It got old.

Apparently they are planning a big hurrah for the last season. I will watch but only to see glimpses of David.

Although David was already on his mission and out of the public eye when I first became aware of the amazing person he is, I sympathize with fans who are desperate to have him back.

How does our desperation feel? I think David can tell us. The other morning as I was listening to my iPod, Desperate came up on the playlist. Although I had listened to this song many times, this was the first time I really heard it. And what I heard was incredible. David actually conveyed the feeling of desperation through his voice!

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This is how I think he did it, but I want to mention two things before I get to David’s vocals. The first is the instrumental background: piano, throbbing drumbeat, and electronic sounds which are mostly loud, and frequently relentless and chaotic. This does not give David much opportunity for subtlety in dynamics or tempo.

Second is the lyrics. Desperate is not a profound song. The word “desperate” is used 13 times, 14 if you count the title. The chorus is repeated four times, leaving only three short sections of narrative to describe the subject’s emotional state. The first two sections convey his isolation and absolute despair; the third, his realization that he can change. Because David always strives for a positive message, despair actually turns to hope at the end of the second section when he sings, “It’s your life; it’s time you face it.” This line divides the song into two parts.

So, how does David do it? How does he express absolute despair, then the possibility of hope?

In the first part of the song, he keeps his voice in its lower register, which communicates a feeling of seriousness and heaviness, and contributes to the idea of despair. By staying in the lower register, his voice cannot soar into higher, brighter notes. Also, David clips the notes, and even exhales a little breath as he ends some of them. These clipped notes distinctly separate the words from one another, suggesting isolation, which in turn reinforces the sense of despair. The only time there is even a foreshadowing of hope is in the words “believin'” and “light” in the chorus. When David sings these words, he holds the notes instead of clipping them, thus entertaining the eventual possibility of hope replacing despair.

This possibility of hope is evident in the second part of the song. As David sings, “it’s time you face it,” he leaves his lower register and goes into his higher register. In addition, he holds the note on “it” instead of clipping it. In the lines, “You know that things have gotta change/ You can’t go back, you find a way/ And day by day, you start to come alive,” David’s voice steadily ascends the scale and his dynamics increase. When he sings “alive,” he holds this very high note for several beats and puts some runs into it as well, providing a bright sound. Ironically, “desperate” is sung ten times in this “hopeful” part of the song, but sung near or at the top of David’s range. In addition, he extends these repetitions of “desperate” by holding them for several beats. All of these vocal techniques contribute to the sense of despair, followed by the sense of hope, that David conveys through his interpretation of the song.

I always thought this song was a first-person account of desperation, that the lyrics were those of a person talking to himself. Thanks to some YouTube comments, I realized the lyrics could be addressed to a second person. I believe either interpretation holds up, although I prefer the first-person interpretation because it makes the intensity of the desperation more immediate and personal, which David definitely does.

Kirailah rolon: Lol Why Would He Be Desperate He Is Hot

HeartSettoLove: Because hot people have crap in their life happen too :p

And NarutoPHC replies to Kirailah with the third-person perspective: Lol he is singing about the girl being desperate 😛

I love becoming aware of aspects of David for the first time, as in this example of Desperate. I find it remarkable that a 17-year-old was able to convey feelings of desperation and hope so convincingly. David’s musical abilities and exceptional character continue to astound me.

And because I’m still learning about him and from him, I’m not utterly desperate to have him back yet. And no one else should be either, because David will be back soon!

The following is compiled from comments made on Twitter and FOD August 15, 2013 by @McKenzieHarr and used here with permission from the author. I felt the remarks deserved showcasing, if for no other reason than that they deal with a subject much on the minds of his fans right now. That she does it so effectively is another. ~ Angelica

I know many people think that David could be more successful if his music were more mainstream or more “current.” I totally disagree. The best thing David has going for him right now is that he’s different. The reason he is different is because he can do things with his voice no other young singer can. He has a unique personality that cannot be mimicked like Justin Bieber’s. These things make him unique in an industry which is becoming increasingly homogeneous.

Yes, David’s last Jive CD did not sell as well as his first but we should not assume it’s because the songs were not good. The songs are different but like I said, different is good. Nobody seems to ever point out that WEG, who was managing the superhot Jonas Bros, at the time they managed David failed to get a single prime time talk show appearance for David. Way to use your leverage WEG. Or that the only half decent daytime talk show appearance WEG got was the fading Regis & Kelly and the little watched Wendy Williams. Or that SBL got no noticeable radio push from Jive. Why is David successful in Asia? Because the label actually supports him. So, I’ll say again, David’s music is not to blame. If David tries to mimic he “hottest sound” when he returns rather than remaining true to himself, his career will be doomed.

Some examples of failure despite releasing “current” music? Look at the Jonas Bros. Their first single “Pom Poms” had a very current sound and contained the requisite sexual innuendo to “prove” they had a mature sound. It went nowhere despite a premiere on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show and several prime time TV performances. Why did it fail? Because the song, while current was absolutely generic and sounded horrible when performed live. Thus the Jonas Brothers are reduced to selling concert tickets for $20 on Groupon and performing in half empty venues with no media buzz.

Listen to Jessica Sanchez’s new CD. If you were looking for all the elements of the currently hot sound, you’d find it on Jessica’s CD. If you are looking for currently hot songwriters, they are on Jessica’s CD. How many copies did it sell in its first week? About 14,000. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Me,_You_%26_the_Music This despite NeYo guesting on the CD and a Glee stint. When the CD flopped, Jessica started adopting a sexy look and showing skin, hoping this would garner her some attention like it did for Britney. Despite this, she did not even get a second single. And there are now some pretty embarrassing pictures of Jessica out there now.

There are just so many, many failed pop singers who seek success by trying to mimic what is currently popular – on the flawed assumption that successfully mimicking what is popular will create a “good” song or such a song will itself be popular. Thus my tweet. I’m just so glad David is not like the Cody Simpson, Greyson Chance or many other Justin Bieber clones out there. He’s an original who has the courage to trust himself and his talent. Better yet, he has fans who trust his talent and know that his best chance of success is not by mimicking Justin – Bieber or Timberlake – or Bruno Mars, but in being himself.

My hope is that David will introduce the “David Archuleta” sound when he returns and most importantly he’ll FINALLY secure a management team and label capable and WILLING to promote him for who he is rather than who the market researchers say the public “wants.” If that happens, I’m pretty sure Cody Simpson, Greyson Chance and the Jonas Bros will be trying and failing to be the next David Archuleta.

High video views are a product of popularity but equally important if not more important is strong marketing and promotion. When the Jonas Bros were the Disney favorites, they easily secured millions and millions of views of their videos. Without such support, their most recent video for “First Time” has about 1.6 million views. Again, David has to get the right label and management when he returns. That will be critical. No more WEGs please!!!!

I loved the two Joy Williams co-writes on TOSOD, especially “My Kind of Perfect.” That song was so emotionally raw, honest and open, not to mention beautiful. A perfect song for those in David’s young teen/tween demo. Of course some brilliant market researcher probably told Jive the public would hate it. David has some good songs. He just doesn’t have the team who can help him sell them.

The great thing about MKOP is that if you simply take the lyrics literally, it can be a simple teen love song. However, there is metaphor and imagery in the lyrics that are so deep the song could be studied in a poetry class. That’s another thing I like about David’s songs. They have meaning and in fact multiple meanings if you dig deep enough.

I think David going away could in some way actually help his career. It gives him a great new back story. It creates interest and curiosity in him – witness the buzz from his mission announcement. The two year absence gives him something few artists ever get: a second chance to make a first impression. Don’t forget Alanis disappeared for a few years before making a big comeback with a new sound.

I guess if he had stuck around and worked on his music, his career might be better off but that’s not a certainty. David Cook has been diligently working away at his career since David left. He has gotten nowhere. His latest self released single that was premiered on American Idol flopped hard. As far as I know, there is no formerly successful Idol who has ever made a full comeback after a fall in popularity. So the odds were against David even if he stayed rather than left on a mission.

The mission is a real wildcard that could help David buck the trend. I think it could give David a chance to make a full comeback or go even further. He can’t waste that opportunity. He needs good management and a supportive label.